ps11-1112 final amend i 04.22.11.doc

AMENDMENT I (04/22/11):

1. Pages 1-2: Added the following information:

Potential Applicant Conference Call: A conference call with all potential applicants will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 2:00pm E.T.

YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CALL. REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE CALL.

Pre-register here: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=brn2x8ro5hlf.

A transcript of the questions and answers from this call will be available on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. To view the transcript, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/std/general/foa-April-2011.htm.

In order to ensure that your question is answered, please submit it ahead of time to Penny Loosier: ploosier@cdc.gov.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Overview Information Part 2. Full Text of the Announcement Section I. Funding Opportunity Description Section II. Award Information Section III. Eligibility Information Section IV. Application and Submission Information Section V. Application Review Information Section VI. Award Administration Information Section VII. Agency Contacts Section VIII. Other Information

PART 1. OVERVIEW INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Federal Agency Name: Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Funding Opportunity Title: A National Coalition to Enhance STD/HIV Prevention through Promotion of a Holistic Approach to Health and Wellness Announcement Type: New, Cooperative Agreement Agency Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-PS11-1112 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: CFDA #93.978 Preventive Health Services, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research, Demonstrations, and Public Information and Education Grants Key Dates:

Application Deadline Date:

May 31, 2011, 5:00pm Eastern Time

Letter of Intent Deadline Date:

April 28, 2011, 5:00pm Eastern Time Potential Applicant Conference Call: A conference call with all potential applicants will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 2:00pm E.T. YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CALL. REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE CALL.

Pre-register here: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=brn2x8ro5hlf.

A transcript of the questions and answers from this call will be available on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. To view the transcript, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/std/general/foa-April-2011.htm.

In order to ensure that your question is answered, please submit it ahead of time to Penny Loosier: ploosier@cdc.gov.

Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one (or more) of the following performance goal(s) for the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP):

· Decrease prevalence of chlamydia in women ≤25 years at high-risk

· Decrease prevalence of chlamydia in women ≤25 years in family planning clinics.

· Decrease the annual HIV incidence rate

· Increase the proportion of HIV-infected people in the United States who know they are infected

Reducing Health Disparities

The program supports efforts to improve the health of populations disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STDs and TB by maximizing the health impact of public health services, reducing disease prevalence and promoting health equity consistent with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Health disparities in HIV, viral Hepatitis, STDs, and TB are inextricably linked to a complex blend of social determinants that influence which populations are most severely affected by these diseases. Health equity is a desirable goal that entails special efforts to improve the health of those who have experienced social or economic disadvantage. See Appendix A for definitions of health disparity, social determinants of health, and health equity.

Program Integration and Service Collaboration

This program supports NCHHSTP’s over arching goal calling for program collaboration and service integration (PCSI). The rationale for PCSI is to maximize the health benefits that persons receive from prevention services by increasing service efficiency; maximizing opportunities to screen, test, treat, or vaccinate those in need of these services; improving the health among populations negatively affected by multiple diseases; improving operations through the use of shared data; and enabling service providers to adapt to, and keep pace with, changes in disease epidemiology and new technologies.

This announcement encourages and supports integration of diagnostic and prevention services for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus, (HBV), and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) because of CDC’s greater understanding of the extent to which:

• STDs increase the risk for HIV infection.

• Control of viral hepatitis, and STDs is needed to protect the health of HIV-infected persons.

• HIV, viral hepatitis and STDs share common risks and modes of transmission.

• Risks for acquiring theses diseases are associated with similar behaviors and environmental conditions and have reciprocal or interdependent effects.

• Clinical course and outcomes of these diseases are influenced by co-infection

• Populations disproportionately affected by HIV are also disproportionately affected by infections with HCV, HBV, and STDs.

Details of this strategy and approach are outlined in the NCHHSTP White Paper which can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/programintegration.

This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by CDC. If research is proposed, the application will not be reviewed. For the definition of research, please see the CDC Web site at the following Internet address:

http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/integrity/docs/cdc-policy-distinguishing-public-health-research-nonresearch.pdf

PART 2. FULL TEXT

I..FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

This program is authorized under section 318 (a)(b)(c) of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. Section 247c (a)(b) and (c)] as amended. Regulations governing the implementation of this legislation are covered under 42 CFR Part 51b, Subpart A.

Background

As the nation’s lead public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), has a unique responsibility for providing national leadership in the prevention and control of STDs and HIV. This responsibility entails efforts in a variety of areas of public health activity, including public health programs, surveillance and research activities, public education and professional training, and support of national level policies and partnerships. Traditional STD/HIV prevention approaches have relied upon implementing strong vertical programs, with robust technical expertise and high quality services being delivered at the national, state, and local levels. However, epidemics of STDs, HIV, and hepatitis interact synergistically with each other and with other associated conditions; often, they are concentrated within discrete population subgroups, social or sexual networks, or geographic locations. These overlapping patterns and distributions of disease therefore require a new way of thinking about public health work that focuses on connections among health-related problems, considers those connections when developing health policies, and aligns with other avenues of social change to assure the conditions in which all people can be healthy. This syndemic orientation of prevention is exemplified in NCHHSTP’s important leadership role in ensuring that disease control and prevention services are well-coordinated at the point of client access through the promotion of Program Collaboration and Service Integration (PCSI); that prevention programs identify and address the multi-layered structural and Social Determinants of Health (SDH); and that communication and educational efforts reflect the interconnectedness between HIV and STD and other health conditions.

In addition, CDC and NCHHSTP are increasingly committed to enhancing STD/HIV prevention program impact by enhancing traditional disease-specific control efforts with holistic health promotion frameworks that more comprehensively address broader issues of health and wellness, including sexual health. STDs and HIV are highly stigmatized conditions, associated with sensitive behaviors, and are often concentrated among socially marginalized populations. Consequently, use of such a broader, holistic, health-focused framework has the potential for reducing the fear, discrimination, and stigma associated with these conditions, enabling better reach of prevention programs to the general public, populations at risk, and health care providers. A more holistic and comprehensive health-focused framework may also help facilitate more open and honest societal dialogue around sensitive issues that are critically important to comprehensively address STDs and HIV epidemics in the US today, such as human sexuality, relationships, and sexual behavior. Likewise, these things are equally important to human health and well-being overall. It is within this context that this funding opportunity has been developed – to enhance and accelerate progress in STD/HIV prevention by advancing a public health approach to improve sexual health in the U.S.

The first formal U.S. government recognition of the importance and need for a broader and more holistic health and wellness approach to enhance traditional STD/HIV prevention and control efforts was in 2001’s The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior [http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/sexualhealth/call.htm]. Although progress has been made in various outcomes related to sexual health since then, continuing high rates of HIV and STD infections as well as those of teen and unplanned pregnancy have prompted refocused national attention on sexual health-related issues. More recently, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) called for more comprehensive and holistic approaches to reduce HIV incidence in the United States and “provides an opportunity for working together to advance a public health approach to sexual health that includes HIV prevention as one component.” Specifically, the NHAS Recommended Action 2.3 calls for the promotion of a more holistic approach to health that “addresses not only HIV prevention among African Americans, Latinos, gay and bisexual men, women, and substance users, but also the prevention of HIV related co-morbidities, such as STDs and hepatitis B and C.” These national strategic imperatives, as well as unprecedented opportunities presented by the Affordable Care Act to improve access to preventive services and overall population health, highlight the importance of, and opportunity for, enhancing the effectiveness of our prevention programs through supporting and integrating a more holistic and comprehensive framework for public health action.

In addition to these strategic imperatives, the need for a new approach to enhance our national STD/HIV prevention efforts is clearer and more urgent than ever before. In the U.S., there are an estimated 19 million new STD infections each year, and an estimated 1.1 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS, with over 56,000 new infections each year. The cost of STDs, including HIV, to the U.S. health system is substantial and estimated to be approximately $15.9 billion. Overall, in the U.S., one-half of pregnancies are unintended, with direct medical costs for these pregnancies estimated to be $5 billion. Each year in the U.S., women experience about 4.8 million intimate partner-related physical assaults and rapes, and men are the victims of about 2.9 million intimate partner-related physical assaults. Intimate partner violence (IPV) resulted in 2,340 deaths in 2007 (70% in females and 30% in males). The medical care, mental health services, and lost productivity (e.g., time away from work) costs of IPV were an estimated $8.3 billion in 2003.

Since 2006, in response to these challenges, NCHHSTP and CDC has initiated a series of activities aimed at accelerating STD/HIV prevention by advancing more holistic and integrated public health approaches including PCSI, SDH and, more recently, by focusing on health and wellness frameworks, including sexual health in the U.S. As noted above, these efforts represent an attempt to supplement traditional, disease-specific prevention frameworks with one emphasizing the broader promotion of health and wellness, including sexual health. For the purposes of this announcement, sexual health is defined as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality. Although it is inextricably bound to both physical and mental health, it is not limited to the absence of disease and dysfunction and is an important component of health across the lifespan. It includes the ability to understand and weigh the risks, responsibilities, outcomes, and impacts of sexual actions, and requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships and a respect for sexual rights.

A public health approach entails identifying, implementing, and disseminating evidence-based interventions and recommendations, as well as monitoring their impact. In the context of enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing a public health approach to improve sexual health, this approach would include catalyzing national leadership to examine new evidence-supported approaches to improving health and not solely disease control; ensuring that individuals have universal access to developmentally appropriate sexuality education and clinical preventive services across the lifespan; and promoting open dialogue about sexuality and sexual health and wellness. In addition to STD/HIV prevention, adopting such a holistic health and wellness-based approach is pertinent to a number of public health priorities, including: prevention and control of viral hepatitis; improved reproductive health, including teen and unplanned pregnancy prevention; and prevention of sexual and intimate partner violence.

Although enhancing STD/HIV prevention through a more holistic approach to health and wellness is critical for the general population, its importance is especially demonstrated when applied to two priority subpopulations: Adolescents/young adults and Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM). Both are at elevated risk for a variety of public health outcomes related to sexual health, and both present unique opportunities for enhancing efforts in sexual health to address disparities and health inequalities.

Adolescents and Young Adults

Improving the health and wellness, including sexual health, of adolescents is a key CDC and NCHHSTP priority. Adolescence is a time of great biological and psychological growth and transition, with strong influence exerted by the cultural and social settings inhabited by and resources available to adolescents. Developmentally, adolescence and emerging adulthood provides a prime opportunity for setting the course for life-long engagement in safe and healthy sexual behavior, and for developing the health-seeking skills necessary for appropriate engagement with health care services. Adolescents and young adults are disproportionately affected by STDs. CDC case report surveillance and prevalence surveys show that adolescents and young adults in the U.S. have the highest rates of STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. Rates of chlamydia are consistently highest among 15-19 year old women, followed by rates among 20-24 year old women. For gonorrhea, 20-24 year old men have the highest rates, followed by rates among 20-24 year old women. For both chlamydia and gonorrhea, there are substantial disparities within this age range, both by gender and race. Although the primary period for HIV acquisition typically begins toward the end of this age spectrum, some underserved minority groups may be at high risk for acquisition by age 20 (e.g., young Black MSM). Moreover, rates of unintended pregnancies remain high in comparison to other industrialized nations, especially among adolescents, although recent rates represent an all-time low. In addition, 1 in 4 adolescents report abuse (verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual) from a dating partner each year, and 20% to 25% of women in college reported experiencing an attempted or a completed rape.

A number of social and policy barriers prevent adolescents and young adults from achieving optimal sexual health. It is estimated that only 38% of adolescents and young adults receive the recommended annual preventive visit. Among those adolescents and young adults accessing services, many report that they do not have time alone with their health care provider in which to discuss sensitive and confidential issues. Other research suggests that physicians do not discuss STDs with up to two-thirds of adolescent patients. Conversely, concerns about confidentiality may limit the health seeking behaviors of some adolescents and young adults; fear of having a parent or caregiver receive an explanation of benefits from their health plan outlining receipt of STD/HIV screening or treatment may influence some adolescents/young adults to delay or avoid seeking care. Given these many challenges, a number of opportunities exist for improving the sexual health of adolescents/young adults, or for furthering existing work in the area.

Men Who Have Sex With Men

The physical, mental, and sexual health needs of gay, bisexual and other MSM are often not adequately recognized or addressed in public health efforts. A combination of social, structural, biological, and individual factors put MSM at greater risk for a wide range of health problems, including those that are the focus of NCHHSTP. Although MSM only comprise 2% of the American population, they account for 57% of new HIV infections. In the U.S., the rate of HIV diagnosis is 44 to 86 times as high for MSM as compared to other men, and 40 to 77 times as high as compared to women. MSM are also at increased risk for hepatitis and most other STDs. For example, MSM are 46 to 89 times as likely to be diagnosed with syphilis compared to other men, and 71 to 135 times as likely to be diagnosed with syphilis compared to women.

The population of MSM has diverse prevention and care needs, and some MSM are at greater risk than others for specific health threats. This diversity requires a varied approach to better understand the lived experiences, sexual practices, and sexual health needs of MSM in order to design and implement effective public health programs for this population. Race/ethnicity is one factor that is strongly associated with increased risk for HIV and other STIs among MSM, with Black MSM being at greatest risk compared to other MSM. Young MSM are of special concern given the high and increasing HIV diagnosis incidence in this population and the unique needs of young men who are still exploring their sexual identity and are newly becoming sexually active. These issues highlight the urgent need to improve efforts to understand, prevent, diagnose and treat the health problems that disproportionately affect MSM.

Purpose

The overall vision for this effort is to enhance existing national STD/HIV prevention efforts by promoting more holistic, comprehensive, and evidence-informed health and wellness approaches. Specifically, the effort will advance public health approaches to improve developmentally and age-appropriate sexual health for all persons living in the U.S. throughout the lifespan. CDC views strategic partnerships with groups from a variety of backgrounds as an essential component in achieving this vision. Hence, a key priority for CDC in implementing this effort is enhanced partnerships with a variety of organizations and health systems partners, including but not limited to non-profit organizations, health plans, schools, faith-based organizations, developmental agencies, professional organizations, other federal partners, media, private industry, organizations with state-based membership, organizations addressing community health, and others. It is anticipated that these partners will work with CDC to enhance STD/HIV prevention efforts by advancing a public health approach to improved sexual health by collaborating to achieve several key objectives: increased knowledge and awareness of and healthy/respectful attitudes regarding sexual health; increased use of high-quality, coordinated and integrated educational, programmatic, and clinical services that promote sexual health; increased healthy, responsible, and respectful sexual behaviors; improved healthy and respectful sexual relationships, free of coercion; and, ultimately, decreased adverse health outcomes, including HIV/STDs, viral hepatitis, unplanned pregnancies, and sexual and intimate partner violence.

In pursuit of this vision and to foster and enhance the impact of these partnerships, CDC will provide support to initiate a coalition of national partners to advance this more holistic and comprehensive approach to STD/HIV prevention in the U.S. (referred to hereafter as the Coalition), in accordance with the best available science. Priorities for the Coalition are two-fold and include both a focus on the general population as well as on two priority subpopulations: adolescents/young adults and MSM.

Priority focus on the general public: The Coalition is intended to support the broad dissemination of sexual health as a holistic framework to enhance STD/HIV prevention and health promotion efforts and to work to initiate and increase dialogue about sexual health within the general population. Leadership at the national level is needed to further this vision. Above and beyond the development and maintenance of key partnerships, national momentum supporting sexual health as a key element of health and wellness for the general population will require clear and consistent communication. Currently, CDC is developing a communication framework that will enable practitioners to enhance their STD/HIV prevention efforts by articulating and incorporating more holistic, comprehensive, and evidence-informed health and wellness approaches, including sexual health. It is anticipated that the Coalition will work in concert with CDC to develop and/or disseminate evidence-based materials arising from this work to educate, inform, and motivate a variety of stakeholders, including other partners, health-care providers, policy-makers, the public, the media, and others.

Priority focus on targeted subpopulations: In addition to providing the impetus for such national efforts, as described above, the Coalition will also focus efforts on enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health among two priority subpopulations: adolescents/young adults and MSM.

The overall goal of this FOA is to bring together a group of organizations from diverse sectors to enhance STD/HIV prevention by advancing a public health approach to improve sexual health. This effort will include developing a framework and strategies to support relevant national multisectoral leadership and to promote effective actions in multiple areas of focus, including but not limited to: health care providers and promoting collaboration and holistic approaches with health care and delivery systems; communication, health education, and marketing professionals and promoting attitudinal, knowledge, behavioral and social change and norms to enhance STD/HIV prevention and foster improved sexual health; policy professionals and promoting effective policy actions; and educational professionals and promoting medically-accurate and evidence-based education and school policies to enhance STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health.

To these ends, the CDC announces the availability of fiscal year 2011 funds for grant applications to develop a National Coalition. Applicants for these funds should be able to demonstrate past history, success, and current or projected capacity in promoting enhanced STD/HIV prevention to advance public health approaches to improve sexual health or related priority areas (e.g., prevention and control of viral hepatitis; improved reproductive health, including teen and unplanned pregnancy prevention; prevention of sexual and intimate partner violence). Likewise, applicants should be able to demonstrate past history, success, and current or projected capacity in establishing or maintaining partnerships or larger national coalitions within the areas described above. Applicants must also be able to document appropriate staffing capacity and experience in the areas of project leadership, programmatic activities, fiscal management, communication and educational planning and implementation, and evaluation.

In accordance with its focus on advancing a public health approach to enhance STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health in the U.S., this project will address multiple Healthy People 2020 Objectives across the areas of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Family Planning, and HIV. Examples of these objectives include:

· STD-1

Reduce the proportion of adolescents and young adults with Chlamydia trachomatis infections;

· STD-3

Increase the proportion of sexually active females aged 24 years and under enrolled in Medicaid plans who are screened for genital Chlamydia infections during the measurement year;

· STD-4

Increase the proportion of sexually active females aged 24 years and under enrolled in commercial health insurance plans who are screened for genital Chlamydia infections during the measurement year;

· FP-2

Reduce the proportion of females experiencing pregnancy despite use of a reversible contraceptive method;

· FP-11

Increase the proportion of sexually active persons aged 15 to 19 years who use condoms and hormonal or intrauterine contraception to both effectively prevent pregnancy and provide barrier protection against disease;

· HIV-2

Reduce new (incident) HIV infections among adolescents and adults;

· HIV-3Reduce the rate of HIV transmission among adolescents and adults Reduce the rate of HIV transmission among adolescents and adults.

Likewise, in accordance with more holistic and comprehensive enhancement to STD/HIV prevention efforts, and in support of ongoing work to address social determinants of health, this project will address the overarching “Healthy People 2020” goals:

· Attain high quality, longer lives free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death.

· Achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups.

· Create social and physical environments that promote good health for all.

· Promote quality of life, healthy development and healthy behaviors across all life stages.

This approach is aligned with the priorities of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), which calls for inclusion of HIV prevention as one component of a larger effort to advance a public health approach to sexual health [http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/NHAS.pdf]. NHAS also contains a number of activities to which this project is uniquely poised to respond. More specifically, the NHAS encourages the following in regards to communication, marketing, and education:

· Utilize evidence-based social marketing and education campaigns; and,

· Promote age-appropriate HIV and STI prevention education for all Americans.

NHAS also encourages organizations to work to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. The Coalition could provide a forum to engage with organizations supporting the four steps recommended by the NHAS to accomplish this important goal:

· Engage communities to affirm support for people living with HIV;

· Promote public leadership of people living with HIV;

· Promote public health approaches to HIV prevention and care; and,

· Strengthen enforcement of civil rights laws.

This approach is an important complement to NCHHSTP’s Program Collaboration and Service Integration initiative, which aims to enhance prevention program efficiency and effectiveness by coordinating prevention services [http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/programintegration/About.htm]. It similarly supports NCHHSTP’s call to develop strategic alliances with other partners and sectors to address social determinants of health to promote health equity [http://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/docs/SDH-White-Paper-2010.pdf].

Program Implementation

Recipient Activities It is anticipated that Coalition development will be divided into two phases: planning and implementation.

Planning activities are designed to move the Coalition from concept to reality by: 1) engaging relevant and necessary partners; 2) defining a population-level framework for enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health, including development of the Coalition brand, mission, and vision; and, 3) planning for the implementation of Coalition programmatic and evaluation activities in future years and developing the associated organizational infrastructure needed to carry out these tasks. A key function of the planning phase will be in framing sexual health as a national health promotion and wellness movement designed to galvanize discussion among all segments of the population. This overall framing will be used to guide continuing efforts designed to increase dialogue around sexual health and also to promote specific action within both the general population as well as the target subpopulations of adolescents/young adults and MSM.

For all activities, the applicant should:

Establish or retain at minimum 1 FTE for the following staffing requirements: a staff person or equivalent responsible for managing the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project, with management experience; and, individuals with demonstrated capacity in administrative support necessary to meet the needs of the program. Maintain other staff, contractors, consultants, and fiscal management support sufficient in number and expertise to ensure project success. Over the course of the project, demonstrate program infrastructure that will enhance the Coalition’s capacity to address sexual health. Minimum staffing requirements must be met; additional staff may be added based on the size and complexity of the program and funding availability;

Planning

1) Engaging relevant and necessary partners

· Organize a group of partners of national influence with interest in enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health within the general population, adolescents/young adults, and/or MSM. Partners should come from a variety of sectors, including but not limited to: non-profit organizations, health plans, schools, faith-based organizations, developmental agencies, professional organizations, other federal partners, media, private industry, organizations with state-based membership, organizations addressing community health, and others;

2) Defining a population-level framework and supporting communication/educational activities for enhanced STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health efforts

· Develop a framework for enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improving sexual health as a national health promotion and wellness movement, focusing on making the importance of improved health outcomes meaningful to all audiences. Applicants will do this by working with CDC and other stakeholders to:

a) Develop an environmental needs assessment Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis in consultation with internal and external stakeholders to help shape and address project goals, objectives, and priorities;

b) Develop a communication and educational plan outlining goals and objectives in support of identified priorities;

c) Explore communication channels and outlets, including traditional and new media, to support the dissemination of a synergistic framework to support communication and education to various audiences to enhance STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health;

d) Work in partnership with member organizations to develop a brand, mission, vision, and goals for the Coalition which align with the overall framework and messaging developed;

3) Planning for the implementation of Coalition programmatic and evaluation activities

a. Creation of a leadership team representing membership from organizations essential to enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health for the general population as well as for adolescents/young adults and MSM more specifically;

b. Organize and hold an initial Coalition meeting to include organizations with interest enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health among either among the general population, adolescents/young adults, and/or MSM;

c. Work in partnership with member organizations to develop a structure for the Coalition that will address the goals expressed for the general public as well as for the targeted subpopulations of adolescents/young adults and MSM. This structure should include, but may not be limited to, committees which address the following focus areas:

i. Health care providers and promoting collaboration and holistic approaches with health care and delivery systems,

ii. Communication, health education, and marketing professionals and promoting attitudinal, knowledge, behavioral and social change and norms to enhance STD/HIV prevention and foster improved sexual health;

iii. Policy professionals and promoting effective policy actions; and,

iv. Educational professionals and promoting medically-accurate and evidence-based education and school policies to enhance STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health; and,

d. Create an action plan for implementation (years 2-5). This action plan should focus on: 1) sustaining momentum in enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health at a national level as outlined by the framework developed; and, 2) guiding activities in service of enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health for the general population, adolescents/young adults, and MSM. It should incorporate organizational development and strategic planning tools, including but not limited to conducting a SWOT analysis and developing specific goals and SMART (i.e., specific, measureable, achievable, realistic, and time-phased) objectives to guide activities within the general population. For the targeted subpopulations of adolescents/young adults and MSM, the above should be addressed for each focus area described above. Activities should reflect the overall mission and goals developed for the organization, be responsive to change, and adaptable to innovation in the field of enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health promotion and wellness. Activity planning should include plans for implementing special projects as funding becomes available, and an approach for midcourse adjustment as needed;

e. Develop a Coalition monitoring and evaluation plan that describes program progress, Coalition capacity changes, and short-term and distal outcomes, using the action plan as guidance.

Implementation Implementation activities will entail a variety of efforts. Although a significant portion of the work in developing and coordinating a framework and communication plan for enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improving sexual health as a national health promotion and wellness movement will begin in Year 1, it is anticipated that efforts in this area will be sustained throughout the project period. Building upon the structural work done in Year 1 to develop plans and activities to address the general population, adolescents/young adults, and MSM, activity in this area will expand throughout the course of the project period. These activities may be revised or extended to align with CDC priorities and/or new evidence or advances in the field of sexual health. Proposed activities should include the following:

a. Continue to actively build a nationally-representative Coalition of members from a diverse range of entities important to enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health for the general population more broadly and also adolescents/young adults and MSM more specifically, including but not limited to the following sectors: non-profit organizations, health plans, schools, faith-based organizations, developmental agencies, professional organizations, other federal partners, media, private industry, organizations with state-based membership, organizations addressing community health, and others;

b. Engage Coalition members in Coalition committees, activities, or special projects and ensure active participation and involvement by a diverse array of Coalition members. Plan and oversee transition of committee leadership on a schedule as decided upon by Coalition members;

c. Expand communication and educational plan to include strategies and activities for public health program stakeholders and other audiences as appropriate. The plan should include methods for the dissemination of information and for identifying which stakeholders should be engaged in understanding and communicating about enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health, in order to increase awareness of the breadth of such activities (e.g., public health burden, prevention programs, policy interventions, community awareness);

d. Implement activities outlined in the communication plan and action plan and make midcourse corrections as necessary, depending on funding and opportunities emerging in the national environment. Provide guidance in and support to project activities and Coalition committees. Provide to CDC annual progress reports, interim progress reports, and updated yearly plans for upcoming Coalition activities;

e. Facilitate dissemination of communication and educational products to support understanding and engagement in issues critical to the enhancement of STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health and increase awareness of the breadth of such issues Work may include further exploration and use of new channels and outlets for dissemination, including traditional and new media, to facilitate the use of a synergistic framework to support sexual health and wellness programs to various audiences;

f. Develop Coalition brand and marketing materials, including a free-standing Coalition website for use in disseminating Coalition products, a current record of Coalition resources and activities, information on enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health of adolescents/young adults and MSM for the general public, and hosting linkages to partners and activities. Develop metrics to measure the use and success of these products;

g. Maintain regular communications (e.g., conference calls, newsletters, website etc.) with Coalition membership about Coalition activities and through updates to other stakeholders involved in enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health for the general population, adolescents/young adults, and MSM;

h. Design and implement a Coalition monitoring and evaluation system, based on the evaluation plan developed in Year 1, that collects and analyzes information to be used to measure program progress, Coalition capacity changes, and short-term and distal outcomes. Evaluation results and related findings should be used to add to and/or enhance Coalition implementation;

i. Conduct a meeting for Coalition members at least annually, with an emphasis on providing face-to-face working time for attendees;

j. Design, implement, administer, or oversee special projects enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health should funding become available. Special projects may address the general public, adolescents/young adults, and/or MSM. They may include, but are not limited to:

i. Consultations with experts in one or more public health priority areas pertinent to enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health;

ii. Roundtables with representatives of relevant organizations and CDC partners to identify barriers and propose solutions to improve communications and/or program implementation and management;

iii. Grants or cooperative agreements to design and implement communications and/or program improvement projects;

iv. Demonstration projects;

v. Conduct assessment of key policy issues and recommendations for actions;

vi. Conduct assessment of communications challenges and approaches, including branding, marketing & communication efforts, and suggest recommendations for actions;

vii. Coordinate technical assistance among partner organizations who are working to address similar issues (e.g., peer-to-peer);

viii. Projects to evaluate methodologies to assess coverage of relevant services or improve utilization of surveillance data;

ix. Efforts to improve performance of public health practice, public health systems, and public health data systems to increase health protection, increase positive health impact, increase health equity, increase health information, and advance public health as it relates to enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health;

x. Translation and dissemination of evidence-based science into practice and policies with organizational members and constituents; or

xi. Other, as appropriate;

k. Consult with CDC project officer prior to filling vacant positions or establishing sub-contracts or sub-grants;

l. Show evidence of Coalition sustainability, including but not limited to demonstrating evidence of leveraging resources; maintaining appropriate levels of support staff; maximizing participation by Coalition members; and enhancing strategic partnerships;

m. Work with other existing or newly created national coalitions addressing the enhancement of STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health (e.g., National Chlamydia Coalition, teen pregnancy prevention); and,

n. Work to secure additional non-CDC funding to support and enhance sustainability, flexibility, and growth of the organization.

In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff is substantially involved in the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring. In this cooperative agreement, staff from multiple CDC Divisions with missions relevant to enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improving sexual health (e.g., Division of STD Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Division of Reproductive Health, Division of Violence Prevention) will provide scientific expertise and oversight to the development and implementation of recipient activities depending on the subject matter and in cooperation with the CDC Project Officer who will coordinate this project overall.

CDC Activities

· Designate Agency leads to liaise with the Coalition and to act as a conduit for input from other CDC offices and divisions;

· Designate a CDC representative to each of the Coalition committees;

· Provide ongoing input on priorities for enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health;

· Provide input on development of communication/educational activities to improve sexual health efforts;

· Coordinate with CDC efforts to engage stakeholders in enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health as a national health promotion and wellness priority;

· Review and approve the action plan, communication plan, monitoring and evaluation plan, and other Coalition planning documents;

· Provide content specific technical review of Coalition developed materials;

· Provide up-to-date scientific information concerning activities and best practices for enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health;

· Provide opportunities for collaboration with new/existing CDC programs/efforts;

· Provide programmatic and technical assistance for the recipient and Coalition members through programmatic and technical consultation, information exchanges and other forms of guidance, assistance and information sharing, and participation in annual meetings;

· Communicate and share information, evaluations, data, and programmatic activities with the recipient and Coalition members, as appropriate;

· Participate in conference calls and other information sharing opportunities, as appropriate; and

· Participate in the design and implementation of special projects, as appropriate.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. CDC substantial involvement in this program appears in the Activities Section above.

Award Mechanism: H25: Venereal Disease Control

Fiscal Year Funds: 2011

Approximate Current Fiscal Year Funding: $ 325,000

Approximate Total Project Period Funding: $ 1,625,000 - $ 5,625,000 (This amount is an estimate, is subject to availability of funds and contingent on the expansion of activities, and includes both direct and indirect costs.)

Approximate Number of Awards: 1 Approximate Average Award: $ 325,000 (This amount is for the first 12-month budget period and includes both direct and indirect costs.)

Approximate Average Award for Years 2-5: $ 325,000 - $ 1,125,000 Floor of Individual Award Range: $ 135,000 Floor of Individual Award Range for Years 2-5: $ 135,000

Ceiling of Individual Award Range: $ 1,125,000 (This ceiling is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes both direct and indirect costs.)

Ceiling of Individual Award Range for Years 2-5: $ 1,125,000

Anticipated Award Date: August, 2011 Budget Period Length: 12 months Project Period Length: 5 years

In Year 1, costs will be for the planning activities outlined in the announcement. In Years 2-5 (the implementation phase) the proposed program will be expanded to include activities, issues, or communication and marketing relevant to enhancing STD/HIV prevention by advancing public health approaches to improve sexual health among the general public; adolescent sexual health; MSM sexual health; reproductive health, including teen and unplanned pregnancy prevention; STD prevention; HIV prevention; and/or dating and sexual violence prevention. Applicants should refer to the Implementation section of Recipient Activities as a guide for expected activities.

Throughout the project period, CDC’s commitment to continuation of awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal government.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants that can apply for this funding opportunity are listed below:

· Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS status (other than institution of higher education)

· Nonprofit without 501C3 IRS status (other than institution of higher education)

· For-profit organizations (other than small business)

· Small, minority, and women-owned businesses

· Universities

· Colleges

· Research institutions

· Hospitals

· Community-based organizations

· Faith-based organizations

· Federally recognized or state-recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribal governments

· American Indian/Alaska native tribally designated organizations

· Alaska Native health corporations

· Urban Indian health organizations

· Tribal epidemiology centers

· State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents (this includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau)

· Political subdivisions of States (in consultation with States)

· Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entity

· Other (specify)

A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/organization identified by the state as eligible to submit an application under the state eligibility in lieu of a state application. If applying as a bona fide agent of a state or local government, a legal, binding agreement from the state or local government as documentation of the status is required. Attach with “Other Attachment Forms” when submitting via www.grants.gov.

Required Registrations

Registering your organization through www.Grants.gov, the official agency-wide E-grant website, is the first step in submitting an application online. Registration information is located on the “Get Registered” screen of www.Grants.gov. Please visit www.Grants.gov at least 30 days prior to submitting your application to familiarize yourself with the registration and submission processes. The “one-time” registration process will take three to five days to complete. However, the Grants.gov registration process also requires that you register your organization with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). The CCR registration can require an additional one to two days to complete. You are required to maintain a current registration in CCR.

Central Contractor Registration and Universal Identifier Requirements

All applicant organizations must obtain a DUN and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the Universal Identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. The DUNS number is a nine-digit number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services.